1. You save money by getting your turns at factory direct pricing
with special discounts for volume buyers.

2. You can design a unique, custom look for any piece without additional costs. Our unique system allows us to create any turning design of the same size and get it to you for the same price*. *Certain restrictions apply.

3. Choose from over 30 different wood species which we are capable of turning up to 12 inches in diameter and 100 inches in length.

4. We welcome challenging projects – fast lead times, short runs, customized – you need it, we do it.

5. We earn your business by delivering high quality turns and standing behind our work every step of the way.

Call us today to see the difference buying direct can make – 1.800.804.6885.

In the July 2011 of CWB Magazine, Glacial Wood Products was featured for our collaborative project with European artist Andrzej J. Olejniczak. See the article below or link to it here.

“CNC Gets Wood Ball Turning at Glacial Wood Products”

International artist, Andrzej J. Olejniczak, and wood turning manufacturer, Glacial Wood Products (GWP), recently completed a unique geometric work of art that will be displayed in a European art show in November of 2011. Images courtesy Andrzej

European artist Andrzej J. Olejniczak and Glacial Wood Products, Brooten, MN, have completed a unique geometric work of art for a November 2011 European art show — a 10-inch wood ball (and matching box) turned on a CNC lathe, using laminated slabs of maple and walnut. The project, says Olejniczak, results from “searching for the unexpected within simplicity in the world of geometry.” Olejniczak, based in Lodz, Poland, says his approach merges applied arts to fine arts. His precision-styled work is a natural for a custom woodworker, but Olejniczak said it was hard to find a woodshop to do it.

“Many times the collaborating party would show little interest in production of a single piece that required so much attention to detail and precision in execution,” he said. “I’m known to be very particular,” he adds, so “it was a very new experience for me to work long distance without the ability to oversee every stage.”

Johnson says Olejniczak’s art “utilized many of our skills in high tech wood turning capabilities.”

Johnson notes that his firm is well equipped to handle unique and short run projects. “We cater to the custom world; we do a lot of short run things,” Johnson says. “But it doesn’t mean we can’t do long runs.” One example of a long run: the official Harry Potter wand.

“We supply a lot of large companies,” Johnson says. “Cabinet manufacturers are our core. Cabinet companies are going more to furniture-like items.” Adding custom-turned or specialized wood components “add that furniture look.”

For Olejniczak’s project, the ball had to fit precisely in the convex box, yet spin freely. Glacial Wood Products first made a laminaed box from the maple and walnut boards, then turned them precisely into the 10-inch ball.

Olejniczak said the final piece “not only met all my expectations, it surpassed them. It was peerlessly executed.” Glacial will show Olejniczak’s work online in November. It also has launched techniques for using multiple species in one part and laser engraving and square post design.

More pictures will be available after Olejniczak’s European Art show this coming November and will proudly be displayed on both Olejniczak’s website and Glacial Wood Products’ site.

With the many species of domestic hardwood available, it isn’t always clear which species will be right for your project. Now Midwest Hardwood Corporation offers a great guide on their website that provides details on 24 species of hardwood from Alder to Yellow Poplar. Detail include: Grade, Color Specifications, and Common Uses such as flooring, millwork, baseball bats, table legs, etc. Click here to visit their site and learn more.

“Instant custom pricing is something that is unheard of in the custom wood turning industry because of the complexity of designs,” said Dick Johnson, President of Glacial Wood Products. He and his team have developed an online calculator to make custom estimating not only immediate, but easy.

“Our pricing structure is very simple. The same size piece in the same species is the same price, no matter what design you need,” explained Johnson. “That allows designers to be as creative as they want in customizing the look of a home”.

The straightforward pricing structure has made it simple for Glacial Wood to develop their Instant Custom Price Calculator. The formula takes into consideration the wood species, quantity, diameter, and length. The only real differences in pricing occur in optional multi-piece construction, turning options (fluted, reeded, roped), and notching options. Once selected, the system immediately calculates an estimate including shipping. “We value our customers’ time and this is a great way for them to price out options quickly and easily,” said Johnson.

To try Glacial Wood’s new instant custom price calculator, visit their website at www.glacialwood.com.

Brooten, MN (April 13, 2011) Master wood carver and wood turning manufacturer team up to create breathtaking pieces of architecture.

Konstantinos Papadakis, Minneapolis, MN, is an old world master wood carver. His woodcarvings have graced homes, offices, churches and public buildings throughout the world. Starting at the early age of 9, Papadakis has mastered several styles including Byzantine, Barocco (Baroque), Gothic and Greek folk styles and the traditional Cretan form of Kritieptamsiaco.

His latest project is to create an iconostasis (the wall of icons separating the nave from the sanctuary in a church), which will be featured in a church in Rochester, MN. When asked about what inspires these beautiful works of art, Papadakis replied, “I am guided by my faith for my carvings…it has never failed me.”

With a goal completion date set this summer, Papadakis reached out to Dick Johnson of Glacial Wood Products in Brooten, MN. The two have worked on several projects together in the past and Papadakis says it is unlikely that will ever change. He enjoys working with Dick and will continue to work with him as long as he is carving.

“[Glacial Wood Products] does what I ask them to do. You see I’m an old man with an old tradition. I like the old traditional way. I like things to be done the correct way. Glacial Wood Products communicates well with me and they do what I’m asking for. They do my job well,” said Papadakis.

“Working with Konstantinos is a privilege. It is rewarding to see the intricacy of his hand-carved pieces paired with the precision of our work. He is a very talented man and we enjoy working with him,” said Johnson.

Once the project is completed, photographs will be proudly displayed on both of their websites (www.konstantinospapadakis.com and www.glacialwood.com). For more information, please contact Dick Johnson.

Glacial Wood Products is an FSC certified wood turning manufacturer. Through the use of the latest software and machinery, they are able to accommodate custom orders, no matter the quantity or level of detail, to various industries and clients all over the world.

Stop by our Online Store and browse our wide selection of custom products. We’ve always taken great pride in our hand-crafted wood designs and now we’ve been able to make them available to a wider audience. You can browse and purchase our full-range of products from anywhere, at any time of the day. The highest quality, custom wood turnings, provided to our customers with the ultimate convenience – it doesn’t get better than that. Check out the Store today!

Prescription Glasses won’t cut it
Creating quality wood components is the primary goal at my wood shop- but we also make sure we put safety first, no matter how urgent the order is. One key element important for both the pros and hobbyists alike is safety glasses. It’s important to wear safety eyewear for every job. Wearing your everyday prescription glasses in the wood shop won’t cut it. You need safety glasses with strong frames and impact resistant lenses. Side screens on your frames are also important, you never know from which direction a piece of wood is going to fly.

Wear safety glasses with side screens

January 18, 2011

Brooten, MN –  On November 13, 2010, Minnesota-based Glacial Wood Products, the largest custom wood turning facility in the country, was featured on HOMETIME, a home improvement television show broadcast on public television and in syndication across the United States.

Glacial Wood Products was featured in the 18th episode of a 22-part series that documented the HOMETIME crew constructing a Stone Cottage. The architects have designed the home with meticulous detail and are including only the finest products to create a well designed and state of the art home.

The HOMETIME crew visited Glacial Wood Products in Brooten, MN to see where the custom balusters, spindles, newels and posts for the staircase were milled for the stone cottage.

Through the use of the latest software and machinery, Glacial Wood Products is able to accommodate custom orders, no matter the quantity or level of detail, and deliver them quickly without sacrificing craftsmanship.

Glacial Wood Products manufactures wood turnings for all types of industries. Glacial Wood Products is FSC certified and creates sustainable wood components for clients all over the world.

To learn more about custom wood turned parts, visit the Glacial Wood Products website at www.glacialwood.com. To find out more about their involvement in the HOMETIME Stone Cottage project contact Dick Johnson.

Contact:
Dick Johnson
dick@glacialwood.net
410 Railway Avenue
Brooten, MN 56316
320.346.9663

At Glacial Wood, we are always looking at the market to identify new trends. Here are a few I’ve noticed recently:

Trendspotting:
Wood never goes out of style, but the ways in which designers use it is always changing. Instead of following the latest trends, keep ahead of them and drive sales by offering your customers the latest in wood grains, stains and fixture styles.

Nothing but gray skies?: Furniture and design styles often find their spark in Europe. From Germany this year we see the emergence of gray woodgrains, both in light and dark tones. They not only were shown in panel samples, but also used by several exhibitors at recent trade shows. Gray works well with the modern design palette, working well with white and black elements, as well as bold colors – in place of lighter woods like pine and ash long favored by Scandanavian design. Grey tones highlight the grain of the wood, so turned pieces can be quite beautiful.

Everything Old is New Again: Rustic-looking woods are popular ¬– and not just for the cabin anymore. Woods featuring knots and worm holes create a warm, comforting ambiance, softening the hard lines and flat planes of super modern settings. Some of the species that offer wonderful burled patterns are Redwood, Maple, Myrtle, Madrone, Manzanita and Yew. The wood turning process enhances the already striking wood grains and knots of these species.

Extreme Finish: Look to the ends of the spectrum for finish styles. High-gloss finishes on boldly turned table and chair legs take a traditional look and give it a unique modern appeal. See the high gloss finish on this table from Eleanor Trend for a fine example.

Walk the Line: Designers continue to use woods with prominent straight grain lines, running either vertically or horizontally or even diagonally. Some lesser used woods with fine, straight grains are alder, cherry, walnut, and Douglas fir. The grain of the wood can be used to accentuate lines in a room, especially as part of a column or balustrade.

Dick
www.glacialwood.com

By: Dick Johnson, President – Glacial Wood Products

BROOTEN, MN –Glacial Wood Products is launching a new online store that will offer high quality wood components. The online store is being added to glacialwood.com to offer new conveniences to Glacial Wood’s customers. Online shoppers will be able to buy table legs, posts, appliqués, bun feet, corner guards, room dividers and corbels from the online store. In most cases, the wood components will be shipped within 5 business days, from the company’s Brooten, Minnesota manufacturing center.

“Some of our clients have repeatedly ordered similar sized components for their furniture, cabinet and building projects. To answer that need and to simplify their ordering process, we have created an online store,” says Dick Johnson, President of Glacial Wood Products. “Later this year, we’ll have some fun and add novelty items like wood plates, mini baseball bats and magic “Potter” wands.”

Online shoppers will be able to choose from four wood species for table legs, posts, appliqués, bun feet, corner guards, room dividers and corbels. Glacialwood.com will also offer the components in a variety of sizes and lengths. Many wood turnings in the online store can also be ordered with the additional options of roping, reeding and fluting. Shoppers will be able to use PayPal for billing.

Glacial Wood Products will continue to offer custom wood turnings. “We’re still offering all of our custom services,” says Dick Johnson. “At Glacial Wood we pride ourselves in creating exactly what our clients want… and we’re able to make those components in over 30 wood species. We are not going to stop doing that- Custom work is our bread and butter and it’s what I love to do.”

Check out the new online store at Glacialwood.com starting on March 8, 2010.

ABOUT GWP

Glacial Wood Products is the largest custom wood turning facility in the country. Custom balusters, newel posts, table legs, knobs, pulls, handles, bun feet, and decorative columns are all made in Glacial’s Brooten, Minnesota facility. Glacial Wood manufactures the highest quality wood turnings for all types of industries using the latest technology, insuring lasting, durable and beautifully crafted parts. Glacial Wood is FSC certified and creates sustainable wood components for clients all over the world. For additional information and to follow the Dick Johnson’s blog, please visit www.glacialwood.com.